Relationships

As part of our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) curriculum, we are preparing for the new statutory requirements for Relationships education that come in to effect from September 2020.

We have always aimed to deliver accurate, relevant and age-appropriate information about ‘Relationships’ – one of the three core elements of PSHE, alongside ‘Health and Wellbeing’, and ‘Living in the Wider World.’ The term ‘Relationships’ refers to the many interactions we, as humans, have with others. This includes relationships with our families, friends, peers at school and members of staff.

Recently, after thorough research and great consideration, the government have decided that the core strand of ‘Relationships Education’ is to become statutory in Primary schools, and ‘Relationships and Sex Education’ (RSE) is to become statutory in Secondary schools.

Professionals in both the education and health sectors welcome this change as it means that full guidance and resources are being developed to enable schools to teach children about relationships in an engaging, meaningful and age-appropriate manner.

What will we teach as part of Relationships Education?

Relationships education will form part of children’s learning, through PSHE lessons. It will cover learning about the world around them, and how they interact with others.

In the early years (Nursery and Reception), children will begin to: ·

• develop a positive sense of themselves and others;
• form positive relationships with others;
• develop respect for others;
• develop an awareness of similarities and differences between people.

In Key Stage One (Years 1 and 2), children will learn more about topics such as:

• working collaboratively with others;
• being kind and treating others with respect;
• bullying and unkind behaviours;
• understanding their own and others’ emotions;
• the importance of families and friends in our lives;
• different family structures.

In Key Stage Two (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) children will build on this and will cover learning on:

• teamwork and shared responsibilities;
• resolving conflicts with others;
• conveying their emotions to others appropriately;
• the different types of relationships people have with others;
• effective communication with others;
• healthy and unhealthy relationships, including all forms of bullying;
• peer pressure and dares.

Through our school’s vision, we aim to create learners who are the best versions of themselves, within an accepting and understanding community, where equality is promoted. We will achieve this by promoting diversity and equality across our curriculum and celebrating human identity in all its forms, ensuring dignity and respect for all. We know that the resources available to teach Relationships Education will be another tool that allows us to achieve this goal.

As part of our consultation with yourselves as Parents and Carers, we would like to make you aware of these changes and offer you the opportunity to have your say. Wakefield Local Authority have compiled a survey for parents of Primary schools to gather some information that will be used to provide resources and possible workshops to help parents understand the importance and role of Relationships Education. If you would like to take part, you can use the following web address or the link is on our school website. Please complete the survey before the 24th February, as it will close after this date. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8CB8RFT

If you have any comments or questions about the information in this letter, please feel free to send in a question / comment and our PSHE leader (Miss O’Brien) will resolve as soon as possible.

We thank you for your continued understanding and support,

Miss O’Brien

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Questions / Comments for the PSHE leader:

Parent/carer name: ………………………………

My child / children are in Year………………………………………………